Papua New Guinea Leader Defends Nation and Takes Offense at Biden’s ‘Cannibals’ Comment

Tensions Rise as Biden’s Remarks Stir Controversy in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape, expressed strong criticism towards Joe Biden, accusing the U.S. President of disparaging the South Pacific island nation. Biden’s remarks, made at a Pennsylvania war memorial, touched on his uncle Second Lt. Ambrose J. Finnegan Jr., an Army Air Corps aviator shot down over Papua New Guinea during World War II.

Biden’s comments, referencing the presence of cannibals on the island, deeply offended Papua New Guinea, a key strategic ally in the region amidst growing Chinese influence.

This incident has underscored tensions in the region as China continues to expand its influence, particularly in Papua New Guinea. Biden’s remarks, though possibly unintended, have led to significant backlash from the country’s leadership, highlighting the delicate nature of international relations.

In a statement provided by his office to The Associated Press on Monday, Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape responded to President Biden’s remarks, acknowledging that they may have been a slip of the tongue. However, Marape emphasized that his country does not deserve to be labeled in such a manner.

“World War II was not the doing of my people; however, they were needlessly dragged into a conflict that was not their doing,” Marape added, highlighting the historical context and the impact of the war on Papua New Guinea.

The rift between the two nations comes at a sensitive time, as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese began a visit to Papua New Guinea on Monday. This visit holds significance as Papua New Guinea is Australia’s nearest neighbor, and both countries have strong defense ties.

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Albanese and Marape are scheduled to commemorate these ties by walking part of a pivotal battleground known as the Kokoda Track later this week. This gesture aims to honor the shared history and sacrifices made during World War II, emphasizing the enduring relationship between Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed President Biden’s remarks, emphasizing that Biden was speaking to the bravery of his uncle and the sacrifices made by U.S. service members during World War II.

Contrary to President Biden’s account of the incident, military records do not support the claim that Second Lt. Ambrose J. Finnegan Jr.’s plane was shot down during World War II. According to a Pentagon report, Finnegan was a passenger on a Douglas A-20 Havoc transport plane that crashed into the ocean after both engines failed on May 14, 1944.

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The crash resulted in the loss of the plane and its occupants, including Finnegan. While one crew member survived, there was no trace found of the other three individuals on board.

Prime Minister James Marape’s statement regarding Biden’s remarks was released on the same day he met with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Port Moresby to discuss enhancing bilateral relations. Marape took the opportunity to call on the United States to locate and repatriate the remains of U.S. war dead in Papua New Guinea’s jungles and to address the lingering wreckage of war.

“The remains of WWII lie scattered all over PNG, including the plane that carried President Biden’s uncle,” Marape stated. He continued by suggesting that given President Biden’s comments and the subsequent strong reactions from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and other parts of the world, it might be time for the U.S. to actively seek and repatriate as many remains of World War II in PNG as possible, including those of servicemen like Ambrose Finnegan.

Marape highlighted the ongoing impact of World War II on PNG, noting the numerous remnants of the conflict still present in the region. “The theaters of war in PNG and Solomon Islands are many, and littered with the remains of WWII including human remains, plane wrecks, ship wrecks, tunnels, and bombs,” Marape said. He emphasized that the people of PNG continue to live with the daily fear of being harmed by detonated bombs from the war era.

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